Selective printing machine



Nov. 8, 1966 H. TATHAM SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE 7 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 .711 van/0r:

4 @Ma/ J" Jaw/u MAW/17 1966 H. TATHAM SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 Jnvem'or:

Nov. 8, 1966 H. TATHAM SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE T Sheets-Sheet :5

Filed Aug. 14, 1964 Jnvenlor:

Nov. 8, 1966 H. TATHAM SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 Jnvenfor:

Nov. 8, 1966 H. TATHAM 3,233,700

SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 6

Nov. 8, 1966 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 H. TATHAM SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jnvenfar:

Nov. 8, 1966 H. TATHAM 3,283,700

SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 14, 1964 T Sheets-Sheet 7 J0 wen for:

United States Patent SELECTIVE PRINTING MACHINE Harry Tatham, Welham Green, near Hatfield, England, I assignor to Ormig Organisations-Mittel G.m.b.H., Berlin-Tempelhof, Germany Filed Aug. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 389,586

Claims priority, application Great Britain, Aug. 20, 1963, 32,967/63; Feb. 17, 1964, 6,572/64 17 Claims. (Cl. 101-91) The present invention relates to a selective printing machine, and more particularly to a duplicating machine permitting the printing of selected text sections of a master sheet on a copy sheet.

Printing machines of this type are known which employ a counterpressure roller moved to and from a printing position for selecting text sections of the master sheet. Due to the inertia of the counterpressure roller, the speed of machines of this type is limited, and it is one object of the present invention to provide a selective printing machine capable of operating at very high speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a selective printing machine in which no translatory movements of a counterpressure roller, or similar element, are employed for selecting text sections for printing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a selective printing machine in which counterpressure means are rotated to and from printing positions for selecting text sections of the printing form for printing.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a printing machine which is particularly suited for carrying out selective printing operations at a very high speed. One embodiment of the invention comprises first printing means, such as a printing drum; second printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent movement preferably about an axis parallel to the axis of the first printing means; a printing form on the periphery of one of the printing means, preferably on the periphery of the printing drum; coupling means for coupling each of the counterpressure means with the first printing means; and control means for moving the counterpressure means alternately from a normal position to a position in which the respective counterpressure means is coupled with the first printing means and is moved by the same to a printing position and beyond the same. In this manner, a copy sheet fed between the pressure face of the counterpressure means and the peripheral pressure surface of the printing drum is imprinted.

O Each of the, counterpressure means includes at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face corresponding in shape to the shape of a text section of the printing form. Each pressure member is turnable between a normal position in which the pressure face is angularly spaced from the printing plane, an intermediate position in which the coupling means are engaged, and a printing position in which the pressure face is located in the printing plane The several counterpressure means are turnable between first and second normal positions in which the pressure members of different counterpressure means are located adjacent each other spaced from the printing plane, an intermediate position closer to the printing plane, and a printing position.

The control means move the counterpressure means in the first normal position to the second normal position and the counterpressure means in the second normal position to the intermediate position in which the coupling means is engaged so that the respective counterpressure means is turned from the intermediate position to the printing position. At the same time, the other I 3,283,700 Patented Nov. 8, 1966 counterpressure means assumes the second normal position ready to be shifted to the intermediate position in which it is driven from the printing drum.

The coupling means preferably includes a gear connected with the printing drum for rotation and having teeth whose spacing corresponds to the spacing of the text section of the printing form. Each of the counterpressure means has a coupling tooth cooperating with the gear on the printing drum. The teeth of the gear on the printing drum pass the coupling teeth when the counterpressure means are in the first and second normal position, but when one of the counterpressure means is shifted to the intermediate position, the gearengages the. respective coupling tooth and turns the counterpressure. means through the printing position to effect printing of.

a selected text section between the pressure face of the respective counterpressure means and the printing drum.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the counterpressure means includes a plurality of angularly spaced pressure bars, for example three pressure bars, and when one of the pressure bars has passed through the printing position, it tends to further rotate due to inertia after being released by the gear of the printing drum, until the pressure bar abuts the next following bar of the other counterpressure means so that another pressure bar is placed in the first normal position.

In another embodiment of the invention, each of the plurality of counterpressure means has a single pressure bar, and all counterpressure means are continuously urged to rotate at high speed, preferably by magnetic means producing an Eddy current in the counterpressure means,

so that upon release of the respective counterpressure means by the gear of the printing drum, the respective counterpressure means is rapidly turned to a position trailing and abutting the pressure bars of the other counterpressure means so as to be ready for a later printingoperation.

In this manner, a limited number of counterpressure means and pressure bars is sufiicient for printing a far greater number of selected text sections, or for printing all text sections of a printing form irrespective of the number of text sections.

In the last mentioned embodiment, locking means prevent the turning of the several counterpressure means by the magnetic drive means, and are released when a printing operation is desired.

The machines of the present invention include selector For example, a rotary contact arm is driven by-the printing means for selecting text sections for printing.

drum and respectively engages a plurality of contacts each of which is correlated with one of the printing sections and connected to a corresponding selector switch.

The circuit includes an electromagnetic means which are energ1zedwhenever the contact arm passes over a contact connected to a selector switch actuated by the operator for the purpose of selecting the corresponding text section for printing.

tion.

In one embodiment of the invention, a shifting means, for example a ratchet device, is actuated by the electromagnet means to turn a correlated counterpressure means one step through an angular distance corresponding to the spacing of the text section of the printing form.

In the embodiment of the invention in which magnetic means continuously urge several counterpressure meansto rotate, all counterpressure means are normally locked,

Whenever this occurs, the electro-' magnetlc means is energized and performs a control funcare retained by the locking means until the next selected text section approaches the printing line.

In a third embodiment of the invention, a plurality of counterpressure means is provided, each counterpressure means including a plurality of pressure bars corresponding to the first embodiment of the invention, and this arrangement is used for selective printing of selected text section of the printing form. In order to rapidly producea complete copy of the printing form with all text sections, a counterpressure roller, preferably consisting of a resilient material, such as rubber, is mounted on the same shaft on which the counterpressure means are mounted, and the shaft is supported for translatory movement toward and away from the printing drum, so that the counterpressure roller can be placed in a position cooperating with a printing drum for printing the entire printing form on the copy sheet in the conventional manner. During this operation, the pressure bar of the counterpressure means are in the normal inoperative position and do not interfere. When the use of the counterpressure means with the pressure bars is desired for selective printing, the shaft of the counterpressure roller is shifted to the position in which the counter-pressure roller is inoperative, and the pressure bars are properly placed for producing copies of selected text sections when travelling through the printing line.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section, illustrating a first embodiment of the invention, a side wall of the machine andconventional transporting and moistening means for the copy sheet being omitted for the sake of simplicity and clarity;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of counterpressure means used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of the counterpressure means of FIG. 1; v r

' FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the counterpres'sure means ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electric circuit used in all embodiments of the invention for selective printing operations, and including'electroma'gnetic means of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation illustratinga second embodiment of the invention with conventional pa'rts omitted for the sake of simplicity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

1 FIGS.- 8, 9,10 and 11 are fragmentary side elevations, partially in "section, illustrating successive operational positions of the selective counterpressure means of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to '5; and

- FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View illus trating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. lwith parts of the machine'illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 omitted for the sake of simplicity.

Referring'now-tothe drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 a first rotary printing means in the form of a printing drum 11 ismounted on a horizontal shaft l2 which'is supported on a frame 13'. Shaft 12 and drum 11"are driven by an electric motor, not shown, in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. A master sheet is mounted by suitable holding means, not shown, on the peripheral circular pressure surface of the printing drum and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced text sections for example lines or paragraphs, extending'in axial direction of the drum. Copy sheets are"fed successively along the path 15 in the direction of the arrow from left to right by conventional transporting rollers, not shown, and are moistened by conventional moistening means, not shown, before passing through a printing plane indicated by dash and dot lines and passing through the axis of shaft 12 and the axis of a shaft 30 which is parallel to shaft 12.

During normal duplicating or printing operations, the copy sheets pass through a printing line 16 at the lowest point of the pressure surface of printing drum 11.

A second rotary printing means 17 comprises two rotary pressure means 18 and 19 which are turnable about shaft 30. Pressure means 18 comprises three pressure bars 21,22 and 23 Which extend parallel to each other in axial direction and are equally spaced apart at angles by a pair of annular end members 24 and 25. The other rotary pressure means 19 also comprises three pressure bars 26, 27 and 28 extending parallel to each other in axial direction spaced apart at 120 angles by a pair of annular end members 29 and 31. The pressure bars of the two pressure means alternate with each other in circumferential direction. Each pressure barhas a substantially rectangular pressure face whose shape corresponds to the shape of the text sections of the printing form or master sheet on the pressure surface 14 of drum 11.

Annular end members 25, 31 and 29 are mounted directly on shaft 32 which is secured by threaded end portions 30 to the frame of the machine. End member 29 has an axially extending tubular portion 20 projecting along shaft 32 toward one end of the same. End member 24 is mounted on tubular portion 20 for rotation thereon. The two end members 29 and 31 are located between end members 24 and 25, and since all pressure bars are spaced the same radial distance from the axis of shaft 32, each pressure means can be turned an angle less than 120 independentlyof the other pressure means 18 or 19, respectively, until the pressure bars of the two pressure means abut each other, for example in the position of FIG. 1 in which pressure bars 23 and 28, 21 and 26, and 22 and 27 abut each other. In such a position, the pressure faces of adjacent pressure bars extend over an area corresponding to two text sections. It is evident that each of the pressure means'18 or 19 can be turned to a position in which a pressure bar thereof is located in the printing plane passing through the axes of shafts 12 and 32, and in such a position, the respective pressure face forms with the pressure surface 14 a printing line. A copy sheet inserted between the printing form; or master sheet and the respective pressure face in opera tive position, will be imprinted with the respective text section which passes through the printing line.

The passage of copy sheets through the printing line is synchronized with the notation of printing drum 11 in a conventional manner. If a pressure face of a pressure bar is located opposite each text section of the printing form when the same passes through the printing plane, the entire'printing form will be reproduced on the'cop'yf sheet. However, if the pressure bars are in thepositions shown in FIG. 1, then the respective text section passing through the printing line will not be imprinted on the copy 1 sheet.' By moving pressure bars into the printing position located in the printing line only whena selectedtext section passes through the printing line, such selected text sections only are imprinted on the copy sheet.

' During passage through the printing line, the pressure faces of an operative pressure bar must move' in synchropasses through the printing line.

In the illustrated embodiment, a coupling-gear "3 9 is? connected to shaft 12 for rotation therewith and has substantially the same diameter as printing drum '11. The

teeth of coupling gear 39 are spaced angular distances;

corresponding to the circumferential extension of a text Section of the printing form. Gear 39 is axially spaced from the printing form on drum 11.

Each pressure bar is rigidly connected to another coupling member, shown to be a coupling tooth on annular end member 24, or on annular end member 29, respectively. In pressure means 18, coupling teeth 33, 34, [and 35 are disposed at the ends of pressure bars 21, 22, 23, respectively, radially projecting from the same. In the pressure means 19, coupling teeth 36, 37 and 38 are respectively located at the ends of pressure bars 26, 27 and 28 radially and circumferentially projecting from the same, and being axially spaced from coupling teeth 33, 34 and 35. Each coupling tooth comprises a radially projecting bracket, and an axially projecting cylindrical engaging portion, best seen in FIG. 4. The cylindrical axially projecting engaging portions of the coupling teeth of the two pressure means project toward each other, and are located in the axial region of the gear teeth of gears 39. Each of the cylindrical projecting portions is adapted to mesh with the teeth of gear 39 by projecting from one or the other side into recesses between the teeth 'of gear 39. When two pressure bars are located directly adjacent each other, as shown in FIG. 1, the coupling teeth of the adjacent pressure bars are spaced the same angular distance as the recesses of gear 39. When any one of the coupling teeth is placed in meshing engagement with gear 39, all three pressure bars of the respective pressure means 18 or 19 are turned about shaft 32.

When one of the coupling teeth 33 to 38 is placed in a coupling position meshing with the coupling gear 14, the respective pressure bar will be moved through the printing line and beyond the same while a text section of the printing form or master sheet is imprinted on a copy sheet located between the printing form and the pressure face of the respective pressure bar. The printing form is'so positioned on drum 11 with respect to the teeth of gear 39 that the pressure face of a transported pressure bar is exactly aligned with a text section. This is accomplished by locating the holding means, not shown, for the printing form on printing drum 11 in a certain angular position with respect to the teeth of gear 39.

Assuming that a text section of the printing form is to be selected for printing, it is necessary to couple a tooth of a pressure bar wtih the coupling gear 39 when the text section approaches the printing line so that the respective pressure bar is connected for synchronous rotation with the printing drum and the printing form when passing through the printing line. This requires a turning of a pressure means, for example pressure means 18 in FIG. 1, from the illustrated position to a coupled position angularly displaced such a distance that coupling tooth 35 is engaged by a recess of gear 39.

Each pressure means 18 and 19 is provided for this purpose with a shifting means 41 or 42, respectively, by which angular displacement of the pressure means 18 or 19 from a disengaged position to an engaged position coupled with gear 39 is effected.

Each shifting means 41, 42 operates stepwise and shifts the respective pressure means through steps whose circumferential extension corresponds to the circumferential extension of a text section of the printing form, and to the spacing of the teeth of gear 39. Each shifting means 41 and 42 comprises a ratchet and pawl device 42 land 43,-

respectively. Ratchet device 43 of pressure means 19 comprises a ratchet wheel 44 secured to the end of the tubular portion 20 of annular end member 29. A plate 45 is mounted on tubular portion 20 for angular movement and carries a pivotably mounted pawl 46 urged into engagement with the ratchet wheel 44 by a spring 47 secured to plate 45, as best seen in FIG. 2. The pawls 46 of the two ratchet devices 42, 43, which are of identical construction, are adapted to drive the ratchet wheels 44 in clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, but slips over the ratchet teeth in counterclockwise direction, so

that ratchet wheel 44 can turn in clockwise direction without being blocked by pawl 46. Consequently, the pressure means 18 and 19 can turn in clockwise direction when one of the coupling teeth 33 to 38 is in meshing engagement with gear 39.

The pawl of the two ratchet devices are operated by angularly displacing the respective plates 45. Each plate 45 is turned to one end position by a spring 48 secured to plate 45 and to a frame wall 13 of the machine. An electromagnetic means 49 and an electromagnetic means 52 form part of the shifting means 41 and 42, electromagnetic means 49 being connected by a rope 41 passing over a pulley to plate 45 of ratchet device 43 of pressure means 19, and electromagnetic means 52 operating plate 45 of the ratchet device 42 which operates pressure means 18.

When electromagnetic means 49 or 52, respectively, is energized, the respective plate 45 is turned in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 against the action of spring 48 so that pawl 46 displaces ratchet wheel 44 and the corresponding pressure means with three pressure bars and three coupling teeth so that the same are moved toward the position in which one of the same is engaged by gear 39.

The windings of electromagnetic means 49 and 52 are energized in accordance with the operation of selector means comprising the electric circuit shown in the diagram of FIG. 5. A contact arm 53 rotates in synchronism with printing drum 11, and may be secured to shaft 12. Contact arm 53 passes successively over a plurality of contacts 55, 56, whose number corresponds to the number of text sections of the printing form and which are consequently spaced angular distances corresponding to the spacing of the teeth of gear 39. Each contact 55, 56 is connected to a manually operated selector switch 57, 58. whose number also corresponds to the number of text sections. Selector switches 57, 58 are normally open, and are all connected to one pair of terminals of electromagnetic means 49 and 52 the other terminals of which are connected to each other. A battery, or other source of direct current has one terminal 54 connected to contact arm 53 and the other terminal 59 connected to all selector switches 57, 58 and to electromagnetic means 52, 49.

When all selector switches 57, 58 are in the normal open position, the electromagnetic means 49 and 52 will not be energized in any position of the printing drum and of contact arm 53 since the circuit of all contacts- 55, 56 is interrupted.

However, when certain text sections, such as lines, of the printing form are to be printed, the respective correlated selector switches 57, 58 are manually actuated and closed. When the respective correlated text sections approach the printing line, contact arm 53 en-- gages the respective correlated contacts 55, 56 and electromagnetic means 49, 52 are energized and operate the respective ratchet pawls 46 so that the respective pressure means 18 and 19 are turned.

The machine is operated in the following manner: A flexible printing form or master sheet is mounted on the peripheral cylindrical surface 14 of drum 11 andt'he drum is driven to rotate so that successive text sections of the connected with both electromagnetic means 49 and 52.

The two pressure means or oounterpressure means 18 and 19 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 8. Pressure means 19, pressure bar 28 with its rectangular pressure surface, and coupling member 38 .are in a first normal position, and pressure means 18 wit-h pressure member 23 and coupling member 35 are in a second normal position. The second normal position of pressure member 23 is closer to the printing line than the first normal position of pressure member 28, but still far enough spaced in circumferential direction to permit passage of the teeth of gear 39.

When the rotary contact arm 53 engages the first contact 55 whose correlated selector switch 57 is closed, both electromagnetic means 4 9 and 52 are energized, and operate plates 45 withpawls 46 to turn the respective ratchet wheels 44 angular distances corresponding to the spacing of the text section and of the teeth of gear 39. Consequently, pressure means 18 and 19 are turned one step while rotation of gear 39 continues so that coupling tooth 35 assumes a position intermediate. its previous second normal position and the position located in the printing line. Coupling tooth 38 is also shifted the same angular distance, so that pressure member 28 remains located adjacent pressure member 23 and in a position which corresponds to, the above explained second normal position which was left by pressure member 23. This position i shown in FIG. 9, and ti will be understood that during continued rotation of drum 11 with gear 39, pressure means 18 which is now coupled with printing drum 11 for rotation will be turned so that pressure member 23 passes first to the printing position shown in FIG. 10, and then beyond the printing position to the position shown in FIG. 11. The text section of the printing form which is located between the pressure face of pressure member 23 and the printing form on printing drum 11, will be imprinted on a copy sheet fed in the working plane 15, and moistened by suitable moistening means if a duplicating operation is carried out. Whenc-oupling member 35. has passed beyond the printing line 16, the respective pressure means 18 has still a certain inertia and will turn further in clockwise direction until pressure member 23 abuts pressure member 26. Since all three pressure members 23, 21, 22 of pressure means 18 turn together, pressure member 22 will be placed in the position of pressure member 38 of pressure means 19 shown in FIG. 8, that is in the first normal position, while the pressure member 28 of pressure means 19 is already in the second normal position. Since the second text section of the printing form was not selected and selector switch 58 is open, electromagnetic means 49 and 52 are not energized when contact arm 53 passes over contact 56 and when the second text section of the printing form passes through the printing lineQ, Since in the position of FIGS. 1 and 8 none of the pressure members is positioned to exert counterpressure on the copy sheet, the second text section is not printed.

When the third text section, which was selected for printing by closing selector switch 59, approaches the printing line, the control means 41 and 42 by which the pressure means 18 and 19am cont-rolled are again actuated since electromagnetic means 49 and 52 operate the ratchet s-hiftingmeans 42 and 43. As described with reference to the first text section, pressure means 18 and 19 are simultaneously angulanly disposed one step so thatpressure member 28 and coupling member 38 are moved from the second normal position to the intermediate position to be engaged by gear 39, while pressure member 22 turns from the first normal position to the second normal. position. Since coupling member 38 is in meshing engagement with gear 39, pressure member 28 is moved through the printing line-providing the necessary counterpressure for printing the third text section on the copy sheet between the pressure surface 14 of drum :11 and the pressure face of pressure member 28. The inertia drives pressure means 19 to rotate farther after the coupling member 38 is released by gear 39 so that the pressure members of pressure means 19 are now again placed 8. in the first normal position shown in FIG. 8, while pressure member 22 of pressure means 18 is now in the second normal position.

In this manner, pressure means 18- and 19 are alternately rotated to intermediate positions in which the coupling means 39 and 33 to 38 are engaged'so that the printing drum 1'1 transports the respective pressure member and pressure face to the printing position and beyond the same.

If all selector contacts 57, 58, 59 are closed, electromagnetic means 49 and 52 will be energized whenever rotary contact arm engages one of contacts 55, 56 so that the above described alternating turning of pressure means 18 and 19 will take .place successively so that all text section will be printed.

In the above described embodiment where coupling teeth 33 to 38 are provided at one end of the counterpressure means 18 and 19, only one gear 39 is provided. However, it is also possible to provide a second gear 39 at the other end of printing drum :11, and to provide coupling teeth corresponding to teeth 33 to 35 at the other end of the counterpressure means 18 and 19.

Similarly, a second control device including electromagnetic means and ratchet means may be provided at the other end of the two c-ounterpressure means 18 and 19 to prevent any twisting of pressure bars 21 to 28. The cylindrical projection of the coupling teeth may be rollers mounted for turning movement .so that the fric- .tion between the coupling members 33 to 38 and the teeth of gear 39 is reduced.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the general arrangement of the machine corresponds to the construction described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. A printing drum 11 is driven to rotate and carry a printing form or master sheet to which a copy sheet is supplied by a pair of feeding rollers 15a and 1512. If a duplicating operation is to be carried out, the copy .sheet is moistened with alcohol in the usual manner.

Four pressure means or counterpressure means are provided each of which includes an annular member 106, 107, :108 and 109, and a single pressure member or pressure bar 101, 102, 103, 104 respectively mounted on the annular members 106 to 1109. The annular members 106 to 109 are mounted for free turning movement on a sleeve 111 which is turnable on a shaft 105 whose axis is parallel to the axis of printing drum 11. The four pressure means may be counterbalanced to compensate the weight of the respective pressure bar so that each pressure means can rotate in a balanced condition.

Annular end members 106 to 109 are all made of a ferro magnetic material. Axial gaps are left between members 106 and 107, and also between members 1108 and 109, and two permanently magnetized discs 112, 113

are secured to sleeve 111 and located in the gaps between. annular members 106, 107 and 1108, 109. A V-pulley 114 is secured to sleeve 111, and is driven by a belt which passes over another pulley, not shown, driven by a motor, which may be the motordriving the printing drum 11, but the belt transmission ratio is selected in such a manner that sleeve 111 and the permanently magnetized disc 112 and 113 are rotated at a very high speed in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6.

Annular end members 106, 107 and 108, 109 constitute arm-atures for the rotating magnetic discs 112, 113, and due to magnetic flux induced in the annular members during rotation of the magnetic discs, a coupling torque acts on the annular members urging the same to turn in clockwise direction so that the four pressure bars 101 to 104 are also urged to turn in clockwise direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, each of the annular member 106 to 109 has a radial projection on which the pressure bars 101 to 104 are respectively mounted, and corresponding annular members, not shown, are provided at the other end of a rubber counterpressure roller 123 and connected by projections to the other ends of pressure bars 101 to 104. At the ends of the pressure bars 101 to 104, coupling members or coupling teeth 117 are secured which are angularly spaced from each other distances corresponding to the angular spacing of the teeth of gear 39, and to the spacing bet-ween the text section of the printing form or master sheet.

Due to the eddy currents produced in the annular end members 106 to 109, and the magnetic torque urging the same to turn in counterclockwise direction, all four counterpressure means would rotate, but such rotation is pre-. vented in the normal inoperative position of the machine by a locking means 118 which is mounted for pivotal movement on a shaft 119. A spring 121 acts on locking means 118 to hold the same in the illustrated locking position engaging the coupling member or coupling tooth 117 which is closest to the printing line 116. Annular end member 108 of the next following presure means is rotated until its pressure bar 102 abuts pressure bar 101 of annular end member 106, which is locked. Pressure bars 103 and 104 abut the preceding pressure bars correspondingly in the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and 7, all four pressure means and pressure bars 101 to 104 being restrained by the locking means 118.

An electromagnetic means 122 is connected to locking means 118. When electromagnetic means 122 is energized, locking means 118 is turned in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 to a releasing position permitting the four pressure means to turn in clockwise direction. Assuming that locking means 118 isheld in this releasing position, the tour pressure means will rotate in clockwise direction until the first coupling tooth 117 passes from the illustrated normal position to an intermediate position engaged in a recess of gear 39 so that the corresponding pressure 'bar 101 moves through the printing line 116 at a speed determined by gear 39', so that the pressure face of pressure bar 101 and the printing form on printing drum 11 move at the same speed through the printing line whereby an imprint of the respective text section is made on the copy sheet.

The pressure bars 102 to 104 of the other three pressure means will not be able to move faster since they abut the leading pressure bar 101 as the same passes through the printing line. However, one coupling tooth 117 after the other will be placed in meshing engagement with gear 39 and be moved through the printing line so that successive text sections are printed on the copy sheet.

As soon as the first leading coupling tooth 117 passes out of the corresponding recess of gear 39 after having moved beyond the printing line, the continuously acting coupling torque of the continuously rotating magnetic disc 112 can accelerate the respective pressure means with end member 106 and pressure bar 101 to a higher speed exceeding the slow speed at which the other three pressure bars move through the printing line, so that the first pressure bar 101 rotates toward the last pressure bar 104 and finally abuts the same.

Consequently, when the preceding three pressure bars 101 to 103 have passed through the printing line, the first pressure bar 101 will already be in a position disposed to be engaged by the recess following the recess of gear 39 by which coupling tooth 117 of pressure bar 103 is engaged. Consequently, all text sections of the printing form will be successively printed although the number of pressure bars is substantially smaller than the number of text sections.

The machine is mainly intended for selective printing, that is printing of selected text sections of the printing form, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The machine of FIG. 6 is provided with selector means corresponding to the selector means in FIG. 5, but the two electromagnetic means 52 and 49 are replaced by the electromagnetic means 122 which controls the locking means 118. Of course, two locking means 118 are advantageously provided at the ends of the pressure bars, in which event two electromagnetic means 122 are connected in the manner of electromagnetic means 49 and 52 will be used.

The selector means of the machine shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 include a contact arm 53, a plurality of contacts, 55, 56 respectively associated with the text sections, and a plurality of manually operated selector switches 57, 58, 59 respectively associated with the text sections.

Assuming that the first and third text sections of the printing form are to be selected and printed, while all other sections of the printing form are to be omitted, selector switches 57 and 59 are closed. The machine is in the initial nonmal position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the four pressure means are blocked by locking means 118 in the locking position due to the action of spring 121.

When contact arm 53 engages contact 55, electromagnetic means 122 is energized through the closed selector switch 57, and locking means 118 is pivoted in counterclockwise direction to momentarily release the first pressure means which includes annular end member 106 and pressure bar 101. Contact arm 53 passes beyond contact 55 so that the circuit of electromagnetic means 122 is interrupted. The de-energized electromagnetic means 122 cannot hold locking means 18 in the releasing position, and spring 121 is eifective to return locking means 118 to the locking position, but since the first pressure means with pressure bar 101 has been driven by the rotating magnetic disc 112 toward the area of the printing line, the second pressure means including pressure bar 102 and annular end member 107 is blocked by the locking means returning to the locking position.

The released first pressure means will travel rapidly toward the printing line, but when coupling tooth 117 reaches a position passing into a recess of gear 39, the further movement of pressure bar 101 takes place at the same speed as the turning movement of the printing drum 11 and of gear 39. Consequently, the first pressure bar 101 moves through the printing line 116 at the same speed as the printing form on printing drum 11, and the first text section is printed on the copy sheet. Printing bar 101 passes at the same speed beyond the printing line, but when the respective coupling tooth 117 is released by the corresponding recess of gear 39, magnetic disc 112 is again effective to rapidly rotate the first pressure means with member 106 and pressure bar 101 until prassure bar 101 abuts the trailing side of pressure bar 104 in a position corresponding to the position of pressure bar 104 in FIGS. 6 and 7, pressure bar 104 having moved in the meantime to the position of pressure bar 103.

When the next text section of the printing fonm approaches the printing line, and contact arm 53 passes over the second contact 56, electromagnetic means 122 is not energized since selector switch 58 is open. Consequently, the respective second text section passes through the printing line, while the second pressure bar 102 remains locked by locking means 118. Since no counterpressure is exerted, no imprint of the second text section is made on the copy sheet. When the third text section approaches the printing line, and contact arm 53 engages the third contact, electr-omagnetic means 122 is again energized since the third selector switch 59 is closed. Locking means 118 releases momentarily the second pressure means and then immediately engages the third pressure means so that pressure bar 102 rapidly moves toward the position in which coupling tooth 117 is coupled to the coupling gear 39 for further movement through the printing line, while the pressure means with pressure bar 103 is locked in the position shown for pressure bar 101 in FIGS. 6 and 7. As soon as the printing of the third text section is completed, and the coupling tooth 117 of the second pressure bar 102 is released by gear 39, the respective pressure means is rapidly rotated in clockwise direction by the magnetic disc 112 until pressure bar 102 abuts the l. l trailing side of pressure bar 101 which now trails pressure bar'104, pressure bar 103 being now in the leading position and locked by locking means 118. This position is maintained during the further rotation of the printing drum since all other selector switches are open and prevent energization of electromagnetic means 122 and release ofthe locked pressure means. Consequently, the copy sheet will be imprinted only by imprints of the first and third text sections which were selected by the operator.

The rubber counterpressure roller 123 supports each of the pressure bars 101 to 104 when the same is in the operative printing position passing through the printing line. In this manner, bending of the center portion of the pressure bars 101 to 104 due to the pressure exerted by the printing drum is prevented, and the entire pressure bar is uniformly and slightly resiliently supported. However, the end members 106 to 109, provided at both ends of the pressure bars 101 to 104, are also sufficient for providing the counterpressure.

The counterpressure roller may also be used for printing the entire printing form with all text'sections without the use of the pressure means 106 to 109. It is possible to shift the counterpressure roller from .the position shown in FIG. 7 to a position cooperating with the pressure surface of printing drum 11 while the counterpressure means 106 to 109 and 101 to '104 remains in the locked inoperative position angularly spaced from the pressure drum 11.

A construction of this type, as applied to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, will now be described with reference to FIG. 12 which shows the machine of FIGS. 1 to provided with a counterpressure roller 64 whose peripheral surface is radially spaced from the pressure bars or pressure members 21 to 28. Consequently, the pressure bars can freely rotate around the counterpressure roller 64 during the operation described indetail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. counterpressure roller 64 has an inner metal sleeve 61 which is tur-nably mounted on a shaft 60 which corresponds to shaft 30 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. However, shaft 60 has two eccentric journal portions 63 at the end thereof, which are mounted in corresponding bearings of supporting brackets 65. At least one lever arm 64 is secured to one of the eccentric journals, or two lever arms 63 are respectively secured to journals 63 and have free ends connected to each other by a shaft 62 to which a shifting lever 67 is connected. A spring 68 is secured to lever 67 by a pin 70 and attached to the frame of the machine by another pin 69 so that the eccentric shaft 60 is urged to a normal position in which counterpressure roller 62 is spaced from the printing drum 11. Lever 67 is operated manually, or by electromagnetic means, when printing of the entire printing form is desired, and turns shaft 60 to the position shown in FIG. 12 in which .the counterpressure roller 62 abuts the printing form on .the pressure surface of printing drum 11. The pressure members 28 and 23 are in the first and second normal positions as explained with reference to FIG. 1, and while they are moved together with counterpressure roller 62, coupling tooth 35 is still spaced from gear 39 so that it does not interfere with the turning motion of printing drum 11. When the printing operation is started by rotating printing drum 11, counterpressure roller 62 will be taken along while the printing form and the copy sheet in the plane are pressed against each other to produce a continuous imprint of the entire printing form.

' When printing of selected text sections is desired, lever 67 is released and is returned by spring 68 to a position in which the counterpressure roller 62 is spaced from the printing drum, and inoperative, while the two counterpressure means are ready to be operated in the manner described inthe reference to FIG. 1. For example, pressure members 28 and 23 are simultaneously shifted one step by ratchet means under the control of electromagnetic means 49 and 52 so that coupling tooth 35 is engaged by coupling gear 39 and pressure member 23 is moved through the printing plane and beyond the same to produce an imprint of a text section whose shape corresponds to the rectangular narrow shape of the pressure bar 23.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of rotary printing machines differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a rotary duplicating machine for the printing of selected text sections of a printing form including rotatable counterpressure members having pressure faces whose shape corresponds to the shape of a text section of the printing form, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present'invention.

Wtihout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent movement, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between a normal position in which said pressure face is spaced from a printing plane, an intermediate position, and a printing position in whch said. pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a plurality of coupling means for coupling said counterpressure means, respectively, with said first printing means for rotation, each coupling means having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position in which said first printing means rotates the respective counterpressure means, each of said counterpressure means being connected with the respective coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said normal position to said intermediate position; and control means for moving said counterpressure means selectively from said normal position to said intermediate position so that said driven first printing means turns the respective pressure member from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted witha text section of a printing form on said pressure surface.

-2. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between a normal position in which said pressure face is angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpr ssure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when mov ing from said normal position to said intermediate position; and control means for moving said counterpressure means alternately from said normal position to said intermediate position so that said driven first printing means turns the respective pressure member from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted with a text section.

3. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between first and second normal positions in which said pressure members are located adjacent each other angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position closer to said plane, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for u placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said second normal position to said intermediate position; and control means for moving the counterpressure means in said first normal position to said second normal position and the counterpressure means in said second normal position to said intermediate position so that said first rotary printing means turns the respective counterpressure means from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted in said printing line with one text section.

4. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about .a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between first and second normal positions in which said pressure members are located adjacent each other angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position closer to said plane, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces, said first and second normal positions of said counterpressure means and said pressure members being angularly spaced distances corresponding to the spacing of said text sections; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said second normal position to said intermediate position; control means for moving the counterpressure means in said first normal position to said second normal position and the counterpressure means in said second normal position to said intermediate position so that said first rotary printing means turns the respective counterpressure means from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted in said printing line with one text section; and a plurality of selector means correlated with said text sections and operatively connected with said control means for operating the same when a selected text section approaches the printing line so that said counterpressure means are turned to said printing position to print only selected text sections.

5. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between first and second normal positions in which said pres-sure members are located adjacent each other angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position closer to said plane, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in "said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said second normal position to said intermediate position; and control means including means continuously urging said counterpressure means to turn toward said printing position and said first normal position, locking means for locking said counterpressure means in said second normal position, and releasing means for releasing said locking means for moving the counterpressure means in said first normal position to said second normal position and the counterpressure means in said second normal position to said intermediate position so that said first rotary printing means turns the respective counterpressure means from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereupon said urging means turn said counterpressure means to said first normal position whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted in said printing line with one text section.

6. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circular peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent I turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpress means being movable between first and second normal positions in which said pressure members are located adjacent each other angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position closer to said plane, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circum'ferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces, said positions of said counterpressure means and said pressure members being angularly spaced distances corresponding to the spacing of said text sections; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said second normal position to said intermediate position; control means including driven rotary magnetic means magnetically connected with said counter-pressure means for continuously urging said counterpressure means to turn toward said printing position and said first normal position, locking means for locking said counterpressure means in said second normal position, and releasing means for releasing said locking means for moving the counterpressure means in said first normal position to said second normal position and the counterpressure means in said second normal position to said intermediate position so that said first rotary printing means turns the respective counterpressure means from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereupon said urging means turn said counterpressure means to said first normal position whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted in said printing line with one text section; and a plurality of selector means correlated With said text sections and operatively connected with said releasing means for operating the same when a selected text section approaches the printing line so that said counterpressure means are turned to said printing position to print only selected text sections.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein said releasing means include electromagnetic means for operating said locking means; and wherein said selector means include a plurality of contacts and selector switches in series with said electromagnetic means and a contact arm rotating in synchronims with said first printing means for successively connecting said contacts with said electromagnetic means.

8. A selective printing machine comprising, in combination, a driven rotary printing drum having a circular peripheral pressure surface for supporting a printing form having circumferentially spaced text sections, and being rotatable about a first axis; a gear connected with said drum for rotation and having substanially the same diameter and teeth spaced distances corresponding to said text sections; at least two counterpressure means, each having at least one pressure member mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said pressure members having at least one substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face having the same shape as said text sections, each counterpressure means being turnable between a normal position in which said pressure face is angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes and a printing position in which said pressure surface and. said prestooth secured to each pressure member for rotation therewith and having a normal disengaged position circumferentially spaced from said plane and an engaged position closer to said plane and engaged by said gear so as to be turned by the same so that the respective counterpressure means is turned by said drum and gear and the respective pressure member moves through said printing line and beyond the same toward the other pressure member; control means conncted to said counterpressure sure face form a printing line in said plane; a coupling means for shifting the same from said normal disengaged position to said engaged. position; and selector means correlated with said text sections for selecting one of said text sections, and operatively connected with said control menas for operating the same so that said coupling teeth are moved to said engaged positions, respectively, when a selected text section approaches said printing line so that the respective counterpressure means-is turned by said gear to said printing position and beyond the same whereby the selected text section and said pressure face pass simultaneously through said printing line and a selected text section is printed on a copy sheet located in said printing line between one of said pressure faces and said printing form.

9. A printing machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said counterpressure means includes a plurality of axially extending pressure bars having said pressure faces, the pressure bars of said counterpressure means alternating in circumferential direction; and a shaft having said second axis and supporting said counterpressure means for turning movement and wherein said control means move said pressure means stepwise corresponding to the spacing of the teeth of said gear so that said counterpressure means can be moved to a position in which said two pressure bars are located adjacent each other and one of said counterpressure means is in said normal position and the correlated coupling tooth is in said normal disengaged position and so that pairs of adjacent pressure bars are spaced an angular distance to form a gap in which said pressure surface and printing form move.

10. A selective printing machine comprising, in combination, a driven rotary printing drum having a circular peripheral pressure surface for supporting a printing form having circumferentially spaced text sections, and being rotatable about a first axis; a gear connected with said drum for rotation and having substantially the same diameter and teeth spaced distances corresponding to said text sections; at least two counterpressure means, each having at least one pressure member mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said pressure members having at least one substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face having the same shape as said text sections, each counterpressure means being turnable between a normal position in which said pressure face is angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes and a printing position in which said pressure surface and said pressure face form a printing line in said plane; a coupling tooth secured to each pressure member for rotation therewith and having a normal disengaged position circumferentially spaced from said. plane and an engaged position closer to said plane and engaged by said gear so as to be turned by the same so that the respective counterpressure means is turned by said drum and gear and the respective pressure member moves through said printing line and beyond the same toward the other pressure member; control means including electromagnetic means connected to said counterpressure means for shifting the same from said normal disengaged position to said engaged position; and selector means including a plurality of contacts correlated with said text sections, a contact arm rotating in synchronism with said rotary printing drum and successively engaging said contacts, and a plurality of manually operated selector switches in series with said contacts, respectively, and connected with said electromagnetic means of said first and second shifting means correlated with said text sections for selecting one of said text sections, and operatively connected with said control means for operating the same so that said coupling teeth are moved to said engaged positions, respectively, when a selected text section approaches said printing line so that the respective counterpressure means is turned by said gear to said printing position and beyond the same whereby the selected text section and said pressure face P 5 simultaneously through said printing line and a selected text section is printed on a copy sheet located in said printing line between one of said pressure faces and 7 said printing form.

11. A printing machine comprising, in combination,

driven first rotary printing means having a circular peplurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each-of said counterpressure means including at least one pressure bar having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between a normal position in which said pressure face is angularly spaced from a plane passing through, said axes, an intermediate position, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface, and a counterpressure roller coaxial with said second axis and having a cylindrical surface located inwardly of said pressure bars; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having substantially the same shape as said pressure faces; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said normal position to said intermediate position; and control means for moving said counterpressure means alternately from said normal position to said intermediate position so that said driven first printing means turns the respective pressure bar from said intermediate position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted with a text section.

12. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven first rotary printing means having a circuit peripheral pressure surface and being rotatable about a first axis; a second rotary printing means including a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel with said first axis, each of said coutnerpressure means including at least one pressure member having a substantially rectangular axially elongated pressure face, each pressure member and counterpressure means being movable between a normal position in which said pressure face is angularly spaced from a plane passing through said axes, an intermediate position, and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a counterpressure roller concentric with said second axis; a shaft supporting said counterpressure roller and said counterpressure means for independent rotary movements about said second axis; support means supporting said shaft for translatory movement with said counterpressure means and said counterpressure roller between a first position in which said counterpressure means are in said normal position and said counterpressure roller cooperates with said peripheral pressure surface of said first printing means and a second position in which said counterpressure roller is spaced from said pressure surface and said counterpressure means are turnable to said intermediate and printing positions; a printing form disposed on the periphery of said first printing means and having circumferentially spaced text sections having sub stantially the same shape as said pressure faces; coupling means for coupling each of said counterpressure means with said first printing means for rotation and having a normal disengaged position and an engaged coupling position, each of said counterpressure means being connected with said coupling means for placing the same in said coupling position when moving from said normal position to said intermediate position; and control means includ- 18 ing means for moving said shaft between said first and second positions, and means for moving in said second position said counterpressure means alternately from said normal position to said intermediate position so that said driven first printing means turns the respective pressure member from said intermediate position to said printing .position and beyond the same whereby a. copy sheet between said pressure face and said pressure surface is imprinted with a text section, while all said text sections are printed in said first position.

13. A printing machine comprising, in combination, a first rotary printing means having a first axis and being driven; a second rotary printing means having a second axis, said first and second printing means defining a printing plane passing through said axes, one of said printing means including a roller having a peripheral pressure surface, and the other of said printing means including first and second pressure means independently turnable about said second axis, each pressure means having at least one axially elongated substantially rectangular pressure face cooperating with said pressure surfacein said printing plane; means for moving a copy sheet through said printing plane; means for moving through said printing plane a printing form superimposed on said copy sheet and having rectangular text sections whose shape matches said pressure faces; first and second coupling members connected with said first and second pressure means for movement therewith and being independently operable for coupling said first or said second pressure means with said first printing means for rotation therewith, each coupling member being disengaged when the pressure face of the respective pressure means is located a predetermined angle before or behind said printing plane; and control means for moving each of said coupling members alternately to said coupling position when the respective pressure face approaches said printing plane so that the respective pressure means is driven and rotated by said first printing means while said pressure face passes through said printing plane whereby text sections of said printing form are alternately printed on said copy sheet between said pressure face of said first or of said second pressure means, and said pressure surface.

14. A printing machine comprising, in combination, a first rotary printing means having a first axis and being driven; a second rotary printing means having a second axis, said first and second printing means defining a printing plane passing through said axes, one of said printing means including a roller having a peripheral pressure surface, and the other of said printing means including first and second pressure means independently turnable about said second axis, each pressure means having at least one axially elongated substantially rectangular pressure face cooperating with said pressure surface in said printing plane; means for moving a copy sheet through said printing plane; means for moving through said printing plane a printing form superimposed on said copy sheet and having rectangular text sections whose shape matches said pressure faces; first and second coupling members connected with said first and second pressure means for movement therewith and being independently operable for coupling said first or said second pressure means with said first printing means for rotation therewith, each coupling member being disengaged when the pressure face of the respective pressure means is located a predetermined angle before or behind said printing plane; control means for moving each of said coupling members alternately to said coupling position when the respective pressure face approaches said printing plane so that the respective pressure means is driven and rotated by said first printing means wihile said pressure face passes through said printing plane whereby text sections of said printing form are alternately printed on said copy sheet between said pressure face of said first or of said second pressure means, and said pressure surface; and selector means for actuating said control means only when ing plane passing through said axes, one of said printing means including .a roller having a peripheral pressure surface, and the other of said printing means including first and second pressure means independently turnable about said second axis, each pressure means having at least one ing rectangular text sections whose shape matches said pressure faces; a coupling means'connected with said first printing means for rotation about said first axis; first and second coupling members respectively secured to said first and second pressure means for rotating therewith about said second axis, each coupling member being disengaged from said coupling means when the pressure face of the respective pressure means is located a predetermined angle before or behind said printing plane and having a coupling position for coupling the respective pressure means with said coupling means and said first printing member; control means for moving each of said coupling members alternately to said couplling position when the respective pressure face approaches said printing plane so that the respective pressure means is driven and rotated by said first printing means while said pressure face passes through said printing plane whereby text sections of said printing form are alternately printed on said copy sheet between said pressure face of said first or of said second pressure means and said pressure surface, further turning each pressure means and coupling member from the position in which said pressure face is located behind said printing plane and in which said coupling member is disengaged being limited in a position in which the respective pressure means abuts the other pressure means.

16. A printing machine comprising, in combination, driven printing means having a peripheral pressure surface for supporting a printing form, and being rotatable about a first axis; a plurality of counterpressure means mounted for independent turning movement about a second axis parallel to said first axis, each of said counterpressure means having an axially elongated pressure face and being turnable about said second axis between a normal position in which said pres-sure face is spaced from a printing plane passing through said first and second axis and a printing position in which said pressure face is located in said plane and forms a printing line with said pressure surface; a plurality of coupling means respectively connected 'with said counterpressure means tor turning movement about said second axis, each coupling means having an inoperative position, and a coupling position engaging said driven printing means so that said driven printing means turns the respective counterpressure means; and control means for moving said coupling means selectively from said inoperative position to said coupled position so that said driven printing means turns the respective selected counterpressure means from said normal position to said printing position and beyond the same whereby a copy sheet between said pressure surface and said pressure face of a selected counterpressure means turned to said printing position is imprinted with a section of the printing form.

17. A printing machine according to claim 16, and including a gear connected with said printing means for rotation; and wherein each coupling means includes a tooth secured to the respective counterpressure means meshing with said gear in said coupling position, each coupling tooth being angularly displaced with the respective counterpressure means by said control means to assume said coupling position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,971,858 8/1934 Knutsen 101-9l 2,069,656 2/1937 Kohler 101-91 3,138,092 6/1964 Block 10-191 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, DAVID KLEIN, Examiners. W. F. MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A PRINTING MACHINE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, DRIVEN FAST PRINTING MEANS HAVING A CIRCULAR PERIPHERAL PRESSURE SURFACE AND BEING ROTATABLE ABOUT A FIRST AXIS; A SECOND PRINTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS MOUNTED FOR INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT, EACH OF SAID COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE PRESSURE MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR AXIALLY ELONGATED PRESSURE FACE, EACH PRESSURE MEMBER AND COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A NORMAL POSITION IN WHICH SAID PRESSURE FACE IS SPACED FROM A PRINTING PLANE, AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION, AND A PRINTING POSITION IN WHICH SAID PRESSURE FACE IS LOCATED IN SAID PLANE AND FORMS A PRINTING LINE WITH SAID PRESSURE SURFACE; A PLURALITY OF COUPLING MEANS FOR COUPLING SAID COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS, RESPECTIVELY, WITH SAID FIRST PRINTING MEANS FOR ROTATION, EACH COUPLING MEANS HAVING A NORMAL DISENGAGED POSITION AND AN ENGAGED COUPLING POSITION IN WHICH SAID FIRST PRINTING MEANS ROTATES THE RESPECT COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS, EACH OF SAID COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS BEING CONNECTED WITH THE RESPECTIVE COUPLING MEANS FOR PLACING THE SAME IN SAID COUPLING POSITION WHEN MOVING FROM SAID NORMAL POSITION TO SAID INTERMEDIATE POSITION; AND CONTROL MEANS FOR MOVING SAID COUNTERPRESSURE MEANS SELECTIVELY FROM SAID NORMAL POSITION TO SAID INTERMEDIATE POSITION SO THAT SAID DRIVEN FIRST PRINTING MEANS TURNS THE RESPECTIVE PRESSURE MEMBER FROM SAID INTERMEDIATE POSITION TO SAID PRINTING POSITION AND BEYOND THE SAME WHEREBY A COPY SHEET BETWEEN SAID PRESSURE FACE AND SAID PRESSURE SURFACE IS IMPRINTED WITH A TEXT SECTION OF A PRINTING FORM ON SAID PRESSURE SURFACE. 